Serve up an ideal space for summer outdoor entertaining

Posted on Apr 5, 2017

(BPT) – The arrival of milder temperatures means dining al fresco, hosting neighborhood cookouts and enjoying intimate cocktail parties under the stars. When creating a backyard oasis to entertain family and friends this summer, it’s important that it be both inviting and able to withstand the wear and tear that goes hand-in-hand with warm weather fun.

The outdoor living experts at Trex suggest the following tips:

Maximize your space. Think about your deck in terms of different activities – and dedicate separate areas for relaxing, grilling, dining and socializing. Consider creating a simple seating nook or an elegant outdoor bar. Structures like trellises, or even tall potted plants, can help establish settings for cozy conversations between guests – while a pergola may offer much-needed relief from the summer sun.

“When you take a situation where you can entertain and move it outside, it immediately feels special,” says Tyler Florence, culinary artist and one of the faces of Trex’s new Engineered Artistry campaign. “First and foremost, think about how your space interacts with the environment and use that as inspiration to create a deck that suits your personal interests and preferences.”

Create a “full service” outdoor kitchen. If you’re planning to spend most weekends entertaining on your deck or patio, consider adding an exterior kitchen to your home. Incorporate elements like a grilling station, cooking range, sink, compact refrigerator – or even a built-in rotisserie or pizza oven. You’ll be able to prepare and serve food while outside conversing with guests – rather than being stuck inside behind the stove. Just remember to build your outdoor kitchen in an area protected from the elements and make sure that its style – whether modern stainless steel or rustic country – complements the look of your home’s exterior.

Choose low-maintenance materials. Spills, splashes and other mishaps are inevitable when entertaining outdoors. If you want to spend more time enjoying – rather than maintaining – your deck, choose materials that need only a soap and water cleaning to retain their enduring good looks.

“Because I have so much going on, I try to keep things as simple as possible and avoid situations that require an enormous amount of upkeep,” says Florence. “If you’re going to make the investment in a gorgeous outdoor living space, use decking and railing that will look amazing for decades to come.”

High-performance, wood-alternative decking like Trex resists fading, staining, scratching and mold growth thanks to an exclusive protective shell and high-traffic formulation – even after several summers of dropping grill tools, spilling barbecue sauce and moving around heavy outdoor furniture. And while these materials offer the natural look of wood, you never need to worry about sanding, staining or painting.

Design with distinction. Select a style and color scheme for your deck that best complements your home’s exterior and reflects the natural environment. Today’s wood-alternative decking offers high-definition wood grain patterns and rich, saturated colors inspired by the outdoors – with a vibrancy that remains unchanged for years. When combined with a modular railing system that provides similar high performance and long-lasting beauty, composite decking offers endless mix-and-match options for incredible design flexibility to suit the style of any home.

“Go online and experiment with different resources and tools to figure out how your outdoor living elements can be integrated,” says Florence. “With Trex, for instance, the ideas are endless because you have so many more opportunities to create a really luxurious space.”

Don’t forget the finishing touches. Customize your outdoor living space to make family and friends feel truly welcome. Add ambience for evening cookouts with dimmable LED deck lighting, and create an inviting lounge area with comfortable, durable furnishings – or even outdoor speakers. You can choose to truly “deck out” a space with luxuries ranging from flat screen televisions to stone fire pits, but if the budget is tight, adding vibrant pillows or tropical flowers and plants serves as a quick and colorful pick-me-up.

For more inspiration to create an amazing outdoor entertaining space – or for favorite outdoor living recipes from Tyler Florence – visit www.trex.com.

10 questions for the builder of your energy efficient home

Posted on Mar 29, 2017

(NC)-Do you want to know if your new home is energy-efficient? Here are some questions to ask your builder:

1. How do I know your homes are truly energy efficient?

2. Since all builders must meet the requirements of the building code, what makes your homes different from other builders’ homes?

3. How do your building techniques reflect the latest developments in housing technology?

4. What steps do you take to improve the energy efficiency of the homes you build?

5. Can you predict what my energy costs will be?

6. What makes your homes more environmentally friendly than others?

7. Do you participate in the Government’s  energy efficiency initiatives for new homes?

8. Do you affix a government-backed energy label to your home?

9. Do independent, licensed professionals inspect the energy efficiency of your homes?

10. Do you build homes that receive an EnerGuide rating of 83 or higher or its equivalent?

If you aren’t getting the answers you want, then you better think twice about your builder.

How to make your home stand out in a hot real estate market

Posted on Mar 28, 2017

(BPT) – The residential housing market is heating up, but before you post that for-sale sign, consider making upgrades that add style and value to your home. With many buyers seeking wood floors, kitchen upgrades and other add-ons, it’s important for homeowners to highlight these features so their property stands out from the competition in today’s market.

“It all comes down to dollars and ‘sense,’ ” says Linda Jovanovich of the American Hardwood Information Center. “In addition to warmth, beauty and durability, hardwood features increase your home’s resale value. Even with a modest budget, if you take the time and price your options, updating worn floors, dated cabinetry, and lackluster walls will make a significant difference. And it’s easier and less expensive than you think.”

Survey says hardwood floors sell

When it’s time to sell, hardwood floors not only add good looks, they increase the value of your home. According to a nationwide survey of real estate agents commissioned by the National Wood Flooring Association, 99 percent of respondents agreed that homes with hardwood floors are easier to sell. In addition, 90 percent said these homes sell for more money.

“Absolutely true,” says Bob Strader, a real estate agent with The NORTH Group of Keller Williams Realty in Atlanta. “Between two similar properties, buyers will gravitate toward the home with hardwood floors, and that home will sell in half the time.”

Debbie Gartner, known as “The Flooring Girl” by customers at her New York-based flooring store, agrees and says quality increases value. “Hardwood sells,” notes Gartner, adding that you’re in luck if you already have a hardwood floor under a carpet. “Clients are shocked when I tell them it’s almost always less expensive to refinish a hardwood floor than it is to re-carpet a room.”

What about the kitchen?

Real estate agent Strader advises sellers to “upgrade their kitchens prior to going on the market because buyers see kitchen upgrades as being rather expensive.” He adds that, “Homes without updated kitchens will take longer to sell, and will sell for less.”

Gerry Henley, president of Kitchen Solvers, a national kitchen and bath remodeling franchise, suggests simple cabinetry updates that won’t break the bank but will result in a higher return on your investment. And hardwood products offer plenty of options.

“Many homeowners overlook the low cost and high impact of re-facing their existing kitchen cabinets,” he says. “By swapping out dated doors and drawer pulls, a homeowner can get the look of a newly updated kitchen and save up to 50 percent of the cost of a complete overhaul. Cabinet re-facing is a quick-moving project and the kitchen remains functional throughout installation.”

Value in the details

Architectural details – hardwood crown moulding, baseboards and other millwork – add depth and character, provide a finished look, and change lackluster to extraordinary, so much so that according to the National Association of Home Builders’ “What Home Buyers Really Want” study, crown moulding ranks higher than other luxury features such as fireplaces, kitchen seating and window seats.

Strader agrees. “From my experience, millwork adds the ‘wow’ factor that stays in a buyer’s mind. And most sellers are unaware that a custom look can be obtained relatively inexpensively with off-the-shelf moulding patterns available at home improvement stores.”

The American Hardwood Information Center offers some additional tips to keep costs low. For crown and other decorative ceiling mouldings, consider using a less expensive species such as poplar. Where durability is a must, such as baseboards, door casings and chair rails, consider a harder species, like white oak.

​Plan now for your big move this summer

Posted on Mar 22, 2017

(BPT) – The big move – it should be in all-caps and announced with a deep, authoritative voice. THE BIG MOVE. And it’s coming to your family soon. It might be from one house to another across town, or it might involve crossing many state lines. No matter the distance, amount of belongings or number of people, your big move is going to be a big deal.

There are ways to plan for your move so the big event doesn’t overwhelm you. Here are five moving tips:

1. Less is better – The less you have to move, the easier your move will be on your body and your wallet. It will also be easier to fit everything into your new house. While packing, create three piles. The first is your “must-go” pile. The second is your “must-sell” pile, which includes anything you haven’t used in the last year, anything you have multiples of and anything you just don’t want any more. The third is the “must-throw” pile, and it contains anything that can’t be sold at a garage sale or donated. Start creating these piles now, and it will make moving day much easier.

2. Stock up on supplies – Big boxes might seem like a great idea because they can hold so much stuff, but what happens when you try to lift one and carry it down a flight of steps? Stock up on boxes of multiple sizes, but keep in mind that smaller is much easier to carry. Also stock up on foam and bubble wrap to protect your fragile items, a good supply of packing tape and bold markers for labeling boxes. You’ll also want to have moving blankets and hand trucks to make it easier to transport your items.

3. Rent a truck – One trip makes the big move simple, even if you’re just moving across town. Penske Truck Rental guarantees a truck for every reservation. Most movers find the 12- or 16-foot truck perfect for moving a few large items or the contents of a small condo or apartment. 

4. Pack smart – Load the heaviest items on the truck first. When you’ve got a sturdy base of the heaviest items, you can start stacking on top. This is when it’s handy to list a box’s contents on its side. If you have friends and family helping, they’ll know not to set books on top of your china.

5. Safety and security – Trucks are taller, wider, heavier and require more stopping distance than the vehicle you are used to driving. Take extra precaution, especially when the truck is loaded. Watch out for low-hanging tree branches and building overhangs, and use extra caution when cornering. To protect your belongings, park in well-lit areas and padlock the rear door. To make sure you’ve got everything you need on moving day, create a travel bag for keeping important paperwork, credit cards, identification, a change of clothes, drinks and snacks close at hand. 

As you cross days off on the calendar and the big day approaches, these tips will help you sail through the event with few conflicts. Before you know it, you’ll be settled in your new home.

Tips to improve your indoor air quality

Posted on Mar 15, 2017

(BPT) – You pride yourself on keeping a clean home. The laundry is washed, the dishes are dry and the den where the children built their pillow fort has been restored to sanity. You’ve been vigilant about cleaning up the messes you can see, but what about the messes you can’t? What are you doing to improve the air quality in your home?

You may not think about the air quality in your home because the problem isn’t visible, but that doesn’t stop dust, dander or chemicals from polluting your air. Everyday living generates up to 40 pounds of dust in a six-room house every year, according to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), the HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association.

Taking steps to clean the air in your home will do more than just improve air quality; it will also save you money. Twenty-five to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted because contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work inefficiently, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

If you’re interested in improving the air quality in your home and saving money while you do it, here are some tips to get you headed in the right direction.

Hire a professional to clean your most important asset

Your heating and cooling system is the lungs of your home. The system literally takes air in and breathes air out. Because of this, keeping your HVAC system and your ducts clean is the most important thing you can do to improve your home’s air quality. “If your ducts look dirty, they probably are,” is NADCA’s advice to consumers.

Have your system serviced by a certified technician. This will not only improve the quality of the air in your home, it will allow your heating and cooling system to run more efficiently, saving you money on energy bills.

Make sure to hire a NADCA-certified technician. All members have certified Air Systems Cleaning Specialists (ASCS) on staff and they are required to further their education by attending seminars and to adhere to the NADCA code of ethics.

Encourage ventilation

Today’s newer homes are built air tight, making ventilation difficult. The simplest way to encourage ventilation is to simply open windows. In the bathroom, turn on the exhaust fan to stop steam from collecting dirt and keeping it in the bathroom. In the kitchen, place any appliance that creates steam or oily vapor under the stove hood. Finally, make sure vents on the outside of your home are not blocked by leaves or snow as season dictates.

Prevent mold

Mold can be one of the most harmful contaminators of air quality. You’ll find mold in areas where moisture and poor ventilation come together. Vacuum rear grills on appliances like your fridge and freezer to improve ventilation and empty and clean any drip trays to eliminate mold. If you have a leaky pipe in your home make sure it is addressed. Take a tour outside and trim any bushes or shrubs that have grown too close as that proximity can lead to mold and algae.

Replace filters and screens

In the warmer months, clean the area around your air conditioner and repair any vermin screens on your chimney flues that may be damaged. During the cooler months, remove screens from any window that may trap condensation and make sure to change your furnace filter monthly.

Keeping the air in your home clean is just as important as washing the dishes or cleaning the clothes. The first step is to have your heating and cooling systems serviced by a NADCA technician. Once that is complete, follow these tips to maintain your air quality. To learn more about NADCA and how you can benefit from an HVAC cleaning, visit nadca.com/en/faq.

Cost-cutting techniques to fit your lifestyle

Posted on Mar 14, 2017

So how do you choose which tip to focus on? The answer is easy. Look at your personal lifestyle to figure out the savings tactic that will work best for you.

* For the serial over-achiever

Sure, you probably have the energy to coupon “til the cows come home,” but that is not the most efficient use of your time. Try setting a goal. Your first step should be to figure out how much you would like to save each month so you can stop yourself once you hit that goal. Of course saving more than what you estimated would be great, but it’s important to maintain a healthy coupon/life balance.

And don’t be afraid to multitask! “When I was working full time, I would use my breaks and lunch to cut out the coupons I would need to shop and sometimes also shop on my lunch hour,” says Jennifer Williams, founder of “My Frugal Wife” blog. Cutting coupons while you eat or while the kids are doing homework means you aren’t skipping important parts of your day to get couponing done.

The important thing is to manage the time you spend couponing so that it does not add stress to your already-busy life.

* For the rewards program skeptic

You may think that the concept of saving is all well and good, but when it comes to the practice of participating in rewards programs you are not sure that the effort matches the savings.

This can be true, especially if you try to juggle too many programs at once. Participating in more rewards programs does not necessarily mean more savings. In fact, there are an average of 21.9 rewards program memberships per household in the U.S., according to the 2013 Colloquy Loyalty Census, yet individuals are only active in 44 percent of the rewards programs they are signed up for.

Save more by focusing your efforts on the right program for you. “Find a program that allows you to save on your most frequent purchases,” says Heather Brickell, founder of “My Sweet Savings” blog. “A rewards program such as the Fuel Rewards Network(TM) program – or FRN(TM) program – is valuable because your savings pay off at the pump – one of the hardest places to save money or get a discount.”

The FRN program allows you to redeem rewards for fuel savings at participating Shell stations. There are multiple ways to earn rewards through everyday purchases of things like food, clothing and household goods.

Participating in a program that allows you to earn rewards without having to step outside of your normal routine can help you save regularly without the stress.

* For the on-the-go lifestyle

Don’t have time to spend hours cutting coupons or scouring the Internet for deals? No problem. If you are constantly on the go, but still looking to save money, Brickell suggests looking into downloadable smartphone apps that will allow you to save money on everything from clothing, dining out, and travel. “Apps are easy to use and many retailers and even restaurants will scan discount codes right from your smartphone,” says Brickell.

Download a few choice apps and begin scanning them whenever you have a free moment in your day. It’s quick and easy because, let’s face it, your phone never leaves your side.

Just remember, if you are doing something – anything – to save, then count that as a success! You can create a consistent stream of savings without having to spend all of your time worrying about making it happen. For example, Wayne Wesley, an everyday consumer from Florida who commutes 60 miles per day for work, also takes advantage of the FRN program’s ease of use. “I am not the kind of person who would use coupons or spends a lot of time hunting for bargains,” says Wesley, who estimates he’s saved more than $500 using the FRN program over the past year. “But I earn rewards at my grocery store each week and usually save between 35 and 95 cents per gallon when I fill up. It’s an easy way I save money each month without much effort.”

The bottom line is that you can cut costs and save in a way that works for you. Don’t let time or multiple rewards programs and savings tactics overwhelm you; just pick the one that is right for you and stick with it. The savings can really add up over time!